Into the Purple Valley

by Ry Cooder

Overview

Ry Cooder is known as a virtuoso on almost every stringed instrument, and on Into the Purple Valley, he demonstrates this ability on a wide variety of instruments. The main focus of the music here is on the era of the Dust Bowl, and what was happening in America at the time, socially and musically. Songs by Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, and a variety of others show Cooder's encyclopedic knowledge of the music of this time, combined with an instinctive feel for the songs. 'Phenomenal' is the descriptive word to describe his playing, whether it is on guitar, Hawaiian "slack key" guitar, mandolin, or the more arcane instruments he has found. This is a must for those who love instrumental virtuosity, authentic reworkings of an era, or just plain good music. ~ Bob Gottlieb

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/1990
Label:	Reprise
UPC:	0075992720021
Rank:	33710

Tracks

1. How Can You Keep Moving (Unless You Migrate Too)
2. Billy the Kid
3. Money Honey
4. F.D.R. in Trinidad
5. Teardrops Will Fall
6. Denomination Blues
7. On a Monday
8. Hey Porter
9. Great Dream from Heaven
10. Taxes on the Farmer Feeds Us All
11. Vigilante Man

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ry Cooder   Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Slide Guitar
Milt Holland   Guest Artist,Percussion
Jim Keltner   Guest Artist
Donna Washburn   Vocals
Jim Dickinson   Piano,Celeste,Harmonium
John Craviotto   Drums
Fritz Richmond   Bass,Washtub Bass
Donna Weiss   Vocals
Chris Ethridge   Bass
Gloria Jones   Vocals
Van Dyke Parks   Piano,Keyboards
Jerry Jumonville   Horn,Saxophone
George Bohannon   Horn
John Craviotta   Drums
Ike Williams   Horn
Joe Lane Davis   Horn
George Buhanon   Horn
Jim Davis   Horn
Jim Kellner   Drums
Claudia Lennear   Vocals

Technical Credits

Lead Belly   Composer
Ry Cooder   Arranger,Composer,Adaptation
John A. Lomax   Composer
George Washington Phillips   Composer
Lenny Waronker   Producer
Dickey Doo   Composer
Joseph Spence   Composer
Marion Smith   Composer
Huddie Ledbetter   Composer
Jim Dickinson   Producer
Jesse Stone   Composer
Washington Phillips   Composer
Alan Lomax   Composer
Johnny Cash   Composer
Van Dyke Parks   Producer
Mike Salisbury   Design
Marty Evans   Photography
Fitz Maclean   Composer
Agnes "Sis" Cunningham   Composer
Dave Bhang   Typography
Blind Washington Phillips   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Woody Guthrie   Composer